Is autopilot justice?

If there is an autopilot car now, do you want to get it? Whenever I asked my friends about this question, I heard that "I don't want it, because it's boring" or "I'm good at driving, so it's no need me. However, I agree with autopilot car and I want to get it right now. When I was an university student, I loved driving a car and I often went to mountain and coast roads. However, I prefer driving more safely and comfortable rather than enjoying to drive. That's why I welcome an autopilot car.

As for an autopilot car, Google is known for being active in the area of this technology, but Toyota also announced that they started to develop their own autopilot car at the CES(Consumer Electronics Show) that started from Jan 8th at Las Vegas. So, it's easy to imagine that these technology will improve in the near future.

There is already an autopilot car race that competes for the technology of autopilot. It's called Urban Challenge hosted by DRRPA(Defense Advanced Research projects Agency). It's the race that autopilot cars drive in the city area within speed limit and on time without any support. It's weird that the main purpose is for military use, but it's no doubt that the technology will improve in competition principle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-xibwwNVLgg 

As for the advantage of autopilot, it has a overwhelmingly low probability of error than human-operated cars. In other words, autopilot has a low probability of a car accident. Machines are never tired and never frustrated. Of course, machines never look away even if a beautiful woman comes into their sight.

There are other advantages such as keeping a perfect speed automatically and driving with shorter distance between cars. So, these advantages lead to an efficient use of road, reducing traffic jam and improving in fuel economy.

In regards to current responding to safety driving by auto company, they appeal their safety support technologies to cover human errors like a brake assist for prevention of rear-end collision, lane keep assist and a blind spot camera. The car that I got recently also has these kind of equipments, but the machine tries to inform me a warning with using beeps. And whenever I heard this sound, I think "I know that!!" That's why I want to say " Under my responsibility, I'll leave the matter to you"

Also, I think autopilot could be a good solution for mobility problem in an aging society. I saw the news that convenience stores in country side started delivery service for elderly people, but young drivers are required. In addition, autopilot can give the opportunity of communicating with other people in the town during their shopping. If small electric autopilot cars are available in this society where one of four people is elder, most of all elders might say "This is what I wanted!!"

Some people say that autopilot must kill the fun to drive from the car, but I want to say " Times have changed" In other words, cars have matured. The history of car started as been faster than horse cart, then people required better handling and braking technology. After that, safety and ecology consideration have been required. During this history, the value that driving faster equals fun was born and car makers focused on this value in their business. However, now I think car makers  should change their mind that fun to drive should go to circuits from public roads or go to the virtual world like Gran-turismo. Horse has been used for as a transportation for long time, but now it persists as a horse riding that focused on just fun-riding not a transportation. Manual-operated car might follow the same fate as a horse. Sightseeing style train that is compared to airplane is also same concept.

I'm a car stylist, but I don't think it's a negative thing. Rather, I'm excited to make new styling. If a steering is gone, the cockpit design must be changed. If it might not be so important to keep visibility for driving, exterior styling could be changed.

It's clear that we have to set a lot of rules before we start the autopilot system. I think that drivers should accept to use an autopilot under their responsibility. That's because it's very difficult to decide who's fault drivers or car makers. As for the manual operating system, when the autopilot technology improves in the future and achieves mainstream recognition in society, it will fade away gradually. However, even technology will be improved, I don't think the emergency stop button is gone .

I expect that the most lowest accident rate car in autopilot will be the bestseller car in the future.

Written in Feb 1st 2013

日本語版

 自動運転は正義か？　

自動運転の車、あったら欲しい？と友達に聞くとそんなのつまらないからいらないとかそんなもの無くても俺は運転がうまいから大丈夫とかいう意見をよく聞く。でも私は大賛成で今すぐ欲しい。学生の頃は峠に走りにいったり海辺をドライブしたりする事が楽しくてしょうがなかったが今は安全に楽に移動したいという気持ちが強い。だから自動運転の車大歓迎です。

自動運転と言えばグーグルが力を入れている事で知られていますが、今月の８日からラスベガスで始まった国際家電ショー(CES)においてトヨタも自動運転の車の開発を始めるとアナウンスしました。今後この技術が飛躍的に進化するのは間違いないでしょう。

すでに自動運転の技術を競うレースもあります。アメリカ国防省(DRRPA)主催のUrban Charangeがそれです。町中を制限速度を守って時間内で無誘導で安全に走破するというもの。目的が軍事用なのはちょっとあれですが競争原理の中で技術が進歩するであろうことはいうまでもありません。

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-xibwwNVLgg 

自動運転のいいところですが、まず人間が運転するより圧倒的にエラーの確率が低いことすなわち事故を起こす可能性が低いという事です。機械の良いところは人間のように疲れたりイライラしてたりする事がない。綺麗な女性が歩いていてよそ見する事もありません（笑）その他にもメリットがあります。自動で最適な速度をキープしたり車間距離も安全マージン無しの密着運転が可能なので道路を有効に使えて渋滞の防止や、燃費の向上にも繋がります。

自動車会社の現状の安全に関する対応ですが、ヒューマンエラーを低減させる運転サポート装備、いわゆる追突防止ブレーキアシスト、車線キープアシスト、死角サポートカメラなどが人気で各社こぞって新型車に採用して安全をアピールています。私が最近手に入れた車もそのような装備が付いていますが、最終的に機械が人に知らせようとして警告音が鳴ったりします。そんな時そうしても「そんなの知らせなくてもわかってるよ！！」という気持ちになってしまいます。だから私は「私が責任取るから後は君に任せた！！」と言いたいのです。

またこれからやってくる超高齢化社会において自動運転は一つの解決策になり得ると思います。田舎でコンビニエンスストアが出前で巡回しているニュースを見ましたがそこには若い運転手が必要ですし、自動運転の車があれば町中に出て買い物がてらに人と触れ合う事も出来ます。４人に１人が高齢者という社会において小型の全自動電動コミューターがもしあれば「こんなの欲しかった！」という事になると思います。

運転する楽しみがなくなるという人もいますが私はもう時代が変わったのだと言いたい。成熟したとも言えるでしょう。車は馬車よりも速く移動出来るといところから始まり次に曲がる、止まると行った技術が求められその後、安全や環境性能というところが求められてきました。そのなかで速く走る事＝楽しいとい価値が生まれ自動車会社はそこを付加価値にして商売をしてきました。でも今走る楽しみは公道ではなくサーキットやグランツーリスモなどのゲームなどの世界に行くべきだと思います。馬も移動手段として利用されてきましたが今は走る楽しみとして乗馬という形で存続しています。手動運転の車は確実に同じ運命をたどるでしょう。飛行機に対する観光電車も同じコンセプトです。

私はカーデザイナーですがちっともネガティブには考えていません。むしろ新しい価値のデザインが出来るので楽しみです。ハンドルがなくあれば世界も変わるし視界なんてそんなにシビアに考えなくても良いかもしれません。そうなると車のフォルムも変わります。

自動運転を始めるにあたりいろんなルール作りが必要なのは明白ですが基本的にドライバーが責任を持って自動運転を選ぶという事になると思う。事故が起きたときに自動車会社かドライバーの責任かというところが一番難しいからです。手動運転を残すか残さないかは自動運転のテクノロジーが進化して社会的に認知されれば次第になくなって行くと思う。さすがに機械もエラーは起こすので緊急停止ボタンだけはなくならないと思いますが。

自動運転での事故率が最も低い車がベストセラーになる日も近いと私は思います。

 

Gun

Two years ago, I went to LA on business trip and I met an accident that one gang's car was shot by another gangs car then, crush into the fence of the hotel that I stayed at. This was the first time that I strongly felt about the gun society in the U.S. and I had a doubt why guns still exist in the U.S.

So, I watched the movie "Bowling for Columbine" directed by Michael Moor.

This is a non-fiction movie douched on the affair of shooting to death at Columbine high school in 1999. In this movie, he tried to investigate why the total amount of shooting incidents in the U.S. isn't reduced. He prepared a lot of interesting examples. For instance, In Canada, the rate of having guns per person is higher than in the U.S., but the total amount of shooting incidents is much lower than in the U.S. and he gave the interview to Charlton Heston. He was former leader of NRA(National Rifle Association) Finally, Michael succeeded to stop selling bullets in K-mart, but in 2007 a new terrible massacre happened at Virginia Tech University. Thirty three people were killed. It was about twice as much compared to the Columbine high school massacre.

And now, I'm living here in the U.S. So, I can't pass without describing about the gun society in the U.S. I think there are a lot of reasons why the U.S. people still have guns.

First of all, the existence of Text of the Bill of Right in United States Constitution. In second, amendment It says" A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of s free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed "（規律ある民兵は、自由な国家の安全にとって必要であるから、人民が武器を保有し、また携帯する権利は、これを侵してはならない）

So, American people are allowed to have guns by law. Also, to see the history of America, frontiers fought the native people. After that, they took black from Africa as slavery. After they released them from slavery, they had to guard against black. So, the U.S. history means always fighting. It's natural to use gun for protecting themselves. So the spirit that our security should be protected by ourselves still remain in their heart so deeply. Living without guns means like being naked. In addition, the existence of NRA is one of the big reason why gun control can't spread. NRA is the biggest lobby group in the U.S. They have tons of fund and big influence to politicians. Basically, the Democratic Party takes a positive attitude toward the gun control, but they are afraid of NRA. So, no one appeal about gun control even president Obama. That's why the total amount of people who were killed by gun is still over ten thousands per year. Compared to the U.S., guns are really well controlled in Japan. The rate of using gun in total amount of murders in Japan is three to four percent. It's the second best in the world. So, for us Japanese, the gun is not important something faraway. Our image of guns is that police man and the Self Defence Forces are allowed to have them. So I think living in the U.S. especially in LA, means that we have to be scared about being shot anytime, anywhere. I think people are animals that are easy to get mad. So if people have easy more access to guns, they can use them easily not only for defense, but also for killing people. I hope president Obama will conduct "the gun hunt" from all the people like shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi's "Katanagari"(sword hunt) in the future. No gun means no shooting to death. I'd like to live with my family in the place as safe as possible.

Written in 2009 and revised Oct 2013

 

Campers heaven

I went to Joshua tree national park with my family and my American friends. We stayed at Jumbo rocks camping ground. The temperature was not as high as I expected. Also, the wind was not so strong. So, we had a great time. On Friday night, my friend made a salmon steak for our dinner and I made some smoke foods like chaplain, chess and shaomai. These foods were really nice. Then after dinner, we enjoyed smore that is typical dessert for camping. It's roasted marshmallow biscuits sand  with chocolate. That was also really nice.

Next day, we went around some mainly spots of this park.First, we went to Skull Rock and walked around. There were huge rocks and ere plants. It was easy to walk but walking with child on my shoulder was a bit hectic.Then after lunch, we had a shower by using my friend's shower booth tent and at dusk, we went to Key's View to watch a great sunset. It was the flame of the setting sun.

Then, we had a dinner. I cooked Japanese style foods for my American friend; Teriyaki chicken, fish and some grilled vegetable with miso sauce. Everything I cooked was banquet. After dinner, we amused ourselves with card game. Then we slept.

Day time was so hot, but night time was rather cooler. So, we set hotdog and rice cake for breakfast. Then, we put away tents and all our camping stuff and went back my home. Everything of our camping trip was fantastic and great.

At the same time, I found a lot of differences between U.S and Japan in a camping style.

To start with, almost all Japanese camping grounds need a reservation, but in the U.S, first come first served style is not rare. Secondly, Japanese camping ground has a lot of comfortable equipment such as kitchen fixture, shower room and coin laundry. Some camping grounds have hot spring and power supply. However, in the U.S, especially in national parks, they have minimum equipment. In Joshua tree, it has only non-flush type restroom, but each site usually has a fire place and fixed table and bench instead.

Generally speaking, U.S campers have good manners compared to Japanese ones. They never make noise at night and do fire work display.

In addition, they cook only simple food. However, in Japan, they cook a lot with using pan and dodge oven or something.

Accordingly, there are a lot of differences in camping style.

Briefly to say, Japanese camping ground is designed for enjoying comfortable camping. So, camping is main purpose in Japan.

Opposite to Japanese camping ground, U.S camping ground exists for enjoying a rich environment. So, camping is one of the means to an end. Due to this, U.S camping ground has many activity programs by rangers such as outdoor theater, star watching and so on.

I understand Japanese camping style situation. I think one of the reason is that there isn't a big scale natural environment like the U.S natural park. That's why camping is main purpose. However, here in the U.S, there is huge nature and a clear concept for how campers should enjoy it.

American natural parks are controlled so strictly and they have a long history.

In 1872, Yellowstone area was authorized as a first national park in the U.S.

The one naturalist man made a basic system of natural park.

His name is John Muin. His concept is so simple. "Nature should be saved as naturally" and there is famous phrase " You can leave only footprint and you can take only photo". We are not allowed to bring any stones, flowers and to feed animals. For instance, 1988,there were fifty forest fire in Yellowstone Natural Park, but authority left them because of natural thing.

Also, now the forest recovered by itself. I totally agree with this concept.

I think overprotecting is not good for nature. So making a lot of souvenir shops like somewhere island country is not allowed by all the nature lovers.

I will enjoy American nature during my stay in LA. Of course I will do with American style. 

Written in 2009 and revised Oct 2012

Why are Japanese women popular in America？

Talking about what I recognized again about the advantages of Japanese during my temporary return to Japan are that it's safer like people can walk at night, food is delicious and especially Japanese women are beautiful and cute(kawaii).  As you may know, Japanese women are popular not only in the U.S., but also all over the world. In my office, many American men married with Japanese woman and it's not rare that local American member who went to Japan as short time resident got married with Japanese woman. Why are Japanese woman popular in abroad and unfortunately, why are Japanese men NOT popular in abroad?

When I went to England as long-term business trip eight years ago, I heard that Japanese women are really popular in England and men who like only Japanese women are called "Japasen" (Japa=Japanese sen=only)

According to the internet, marrying a Japanese women means having a status in Asia countries. I've been in America for four years and I can now understand the reason why Japanese women are popular in abroad.

First of all, Japanese women always are beautiful and looks cute all time.

I mean, it's not only inborn beauty, but also their consideration. Japanese women are fashionable and they give a consideration from head to toe. If you go to Japan, you can find tons of fashion magazines at book stores and these magazines foment being beautiful as a common sense. There are some super fashionable women in the U.S., but many people don't care about their fashion compared to Japanese women. Their thinking of fashion seems to draw a line between public and private more clearly.  Also, Japanese women look younger than they really are, because of their baby face. I think they also have a silky skin and they maintain their skin carefully. That's why Japanese women are popular with their good appearance.

Next, Japanese women have an advantage of their character not only their appearance. Simply put, Japanese women have an image that they are polite and modest like they are willing to make men look good among other people and these characters seem to attract the eye of American men. In the U.S., it's common that women demand their freedom and appeal their rights.

For example, women say that doing the housework by only women is unfair and they require to get the words "I love you" everyday". So, it's easy to imagine that American men would feel comfortable and be addicted if Japanese women appear in this situation who are modest like making nice dinner every day is no problem and I will follow you. In Japan, there is no thought of danson-johi （male-chauvinism）already and increasing aggressive women called "Nikushoku-kei (carnivorous) compared to before. I personally think that Japanese women seem NOT modest too much already, but from the American men point of view, they still feel that Japanese women look modest and graceful. So, as Japanese women point of view, they can be popular among American men by only giving the common thing such as making dinner every day and following men with consideration.

Unfortunately, these kind of characters wouldn't be an advantage as long as Japanese women are staying in Japan, because it's an ordinary thing in Japan. As for Japanese men, they seem to NOT realize that they are in really good situation. That's why Japanese guys lost their vitality and they are called "Soushokukei"(herbivorous). As you know, in America, men are required to be strong and be assertive, so in this situation, Japanese men are NOT popular among American women.

In conclusion, Japanese men should live their daily life in an attitude of thankfulness that they can live with beautiful and modest Japanese women. Also, Japanese women who are unpopular in Japan, they can go abroad, then they might realize their big advantage.

Written in Jan 2013

日本語版

日本人女性はなぜアメリカでもてるのか？

　

年末に日本に一時帰国して再認識した日本の良さと言えば夜でも歩けるくらいの安全さ、食事のおいしさなどがあるがなかでも印象的だったのが日本人女性の可愛さ、美しさである。その日本人女性がアメリカだけでなく世界的にもてています。自分のアメリカでの職場でも日本人女性と結婚している人もたくさんいるし、日本に短期駐在して日本人の嫁さんをもらって帰るといったパターンも珍しくありません。なぜこんなに海外で日本人女性はもてるのでしょうか？そして残念な事になぜ日本人男性はモテないのでしょうか？

むかしイギリスに長期出張に行ったときも友達から日本人女性はとても人気があって日本女性ばかりを狙うイギリス人のことを「ジャパ専」と呼んでいると聞いた。ネットで調べると欧米だけでなくアジア圏でも日本人女性と結婚する事は一種のステータスになっているようです。アメリカに住んで４年経ちますがなんとなくこの理由がわかるようになりました。

まずなんといっても日本人女性はいつでも小綺麗でいつまでもかわいいのである。持って生まれた美貌だけでなくその気の遣いようということである。とてもお洒落で頭のてっぺんからつま先まで気を遣っています。日本に行くと大量のファッション雑誌が本屋さんの店頭に並び、いつでも綺麗でいるというのが当たり前のように語られています。アメリカにも超お洒落で綺麗なひともいますが基本的に無頓着なひとのほうが多いし、考え方としてもっとオンとオフがはっきりしているような気がします。そして日本人女性はその顔立ちのせいで実際の年齢より若く見えます。肌も綺麗で手入れが行き届いているので若さを維持しているのでしょう。まずこのような見た目の良さで日本女性は人気があるのだと思う。

次に容姿以外の性格でもアドバンテージがあります。簡単にいうと礼儀正しくて男性をたてる控えめな性格というイメージがアメリカ人男性にとても魅力的に映っているようです。自由の国アメリカに於いては女性も自由を求め自分の権利を主張するのが当たり前なのです。例えば自分だけ家事やるのはアンフェアだとか毎日愛してると言ってだとかいろいろ主張が強いのである。そこに毎日ご飯を作っても苦にならないとかあなたの言う通りにしますとか自己主張が控えめな日本人女性が現れるとアメリカ人男性に取ってなんて快適なんだろうと思ってしまうのは容易に想像がつく。日本でも昔に比べると男尊女卑の風潮もなくなり肉食系とよばれる自己主張の強い女性も増えました。日本人の私の感覚だと日本人女性が自分を主張しない事はないように思えるがアメリカ人男性からするとまだまだ控えめで奥ゆかしくみえるのだろう。日本人女性の立場で言うと当たり前の事を普通にやっているだけでアメリカ人男性が喜んでくれるのである。

残念ながらこのような魅力は日本にいる限り当たり前の事なのでアドバンテージにはなりません。日本人男性からするとかなりいい環境にいるという事を自覚している人はいないように思います。だから最近の日本人男性すっかり行動力をなくしていわゆる草食系などと言われてしまうのですね。そして男性に強さや自己主張や決断力が求められるアメリカにおいてこのような日本人男性ははっきり言ってモテません。

結論、日本人男性は綺麗で可愛いくて性格もいい日本女性がまわりにたくさんいる事に感謝して生活しましょう。日本女性で私はモテないと感じている方はぜひ海外に行ってみましょう。自分の良さに気づく事でしょう。

 

Love spending than saving

No saving country America

American people don't save money, but Japanese people like to save money. It's a common thing and it's completely true through my four years experience in the U.S. Even though Japanese economy is still not good and an aging society causes their average savings to decrease, Japanese people still put their money in the bank or post office regardless of low interest rates instead of fund management.

Meanwhile, American people think completely different from Japanese people in regards to money. It's like there is no such word as "Saving" in the U.S.

They spend all their salary before the next pay day comes. By the way, a lot of states have two pay days in one month, because if it's only one time, they can't pay their rent. What lack of financial planning they have. Also, when they dry up their money, they use credit card as well. Then, their monthly payment is a minimum payment and it's a common life style in average U.S family that they try to balance a budget somehow at the end of the year. It's like "Enjoy now, pay later" isn't it?. 


In Japan, it's also common that parents save money by putting up with their allowance and hobby for their future kids' education expense. However, in the U.S, they seems to think it's important to show their filling life to their children. Actually, it's rare that parents pay their children's college tuition in the U.S. Most of all students use college loan system and many parents think paying themselves make them study more harder.

In addition, many American people think it would be better to do fund management themselves instead of saving. They buy a stock, a house or a second home with a loan and then after they retire, they sell them to have a filling life. Investing in a stock and real estate means the same as saving money, so they don't save money. I think this style fits to American people compared to Japanese style like saving money with low interest and then the bank turn over this and make money.

Also, one more thing that I felt through my life in America is that American society is good at encouraging to spend money, such as big trip during vacation time, tons of parties and events in the weekend. If they spend money on dare from these attractive things, they must be in the red. I don't know whether they think it will work out and if it's impossible, they can file for a bankruptcy.

Sure enough, many people life for credit-card bankruptcy. I think it's the credit-card company's fault, too because they give credit card easily. However both of them seem to not think deeply for the future. 

I personally think weird about the American money culture that encourages to spend money. I'm Japanese, so I'm worried if I don't have any savings and I don't want to spend money with getting into debt.

Looking at economy point of view, American style is better, but I think it's bad balance and once economy goes down like subprime loan crisis coming, it would crush suddenly.

As for Japanese people, even if Japanese government announce that the economy is getting better, they don't loosen their purse strings easily. Japanese people are good at saving money for their future, spending their money only what they need now and adjusting based on economy situation.

I think American people might learn Japanese way to save money and how to spend money.

However, I realize myself that I was a ready influenced by American style that spending money without deep thinking these days. I must save money more.

Written in Dec 2012

日本語版

貯金より消費　貯金しない国アメリカ

アメリカ人は貯金しない、逆に日本人は貯金好き。これはよく言われている事ですがアメリカに生活して４年、これは本当ですね。日本では景気が悪く高齢化社会の訪れとともに平均貯蓄額は減っていはいるものの、依然として日本人は利息が低くても、資金運用よりも銀行や郵便局にお金を預けています。

対してアメリカ人お金に対する考え方が全く違います。貯金という言葉はアメリカに存在しないのかと思うくらいです。給与でもらったお金は次の給与日までに は使ってしまう。因みに多くの州ではつきに2回が給与日となっているが、その理由は月一度の給与だと最終的に家賃が払えなくなってしまう人が多いからだそ うだ。なんという計画のなさ。あとお金がなくなったらクレジットカードでやっぱり同じように使う。そして月々の支払いはミニマムペイメント、そして年末に何とか帳尻を合わせるという生活を一般家庭でも当たり前のようにやっているそうです。Enjoy now, pay later という感じなんでしょうかね。


日本だと将来の教育費のために親は小遣いや趣味をかなり我慢し てというのが当たり前の考え方ですが、アメリカではまず親が充実した、いい人生を送っている事を子供に見せるのが、大事とでも考えているようです。実際アメリカでは親が子供の大学の費用を出しているのは珍しいです。学生は奨学金や教育ローンを組んで自分で費用をまかないます。親もそうした方が一生懸命勉強すると考えているようです。

あとアメリカ人は「貯金」するぐらいなら「投資」にかけたほうがいいと考える人が多い。株を投資したりローンで家や別荘を買い、退職後はその不動産を売って老後の資金にするようです。つまりアメリカ人にとっては株や不動産に投資することが老後の蓄えになるようで現金は蓄えないというスタイルなんでしょう。日本のように低金利の銀行に現金を預けて他人に得をさせるよりも自己責任で投資して自分で儲けるというやり方の方がアメリカ人には合っているのかもしれません。

そしてアメリカに住んでいると感じるのが消費を煽るのがうまいなという事。休みになると大型の旅行、そして週末になると楽しそうなパーティーやイベントが目白押し。この挑発に乗ってしまうと毎月の生活が赤字になるのもうなずけます。心のどこかに借金はなんとかなる、いざとなれば破産申告すれば良いと考えてるのでしょうか。案の定カード破産する人もたくさんいます。簡単にクレジットカードを作らせる方も悪いといえば悪いですが両方とも将来の事をあまり考えていないような気がする。

個人的にはなんでも消費を煽るアメリカの文化はなんだかなと思う。私は日本人なので貯金が無いのは不安だし借金してまで楽しもうなんて気分にはなれない。経済の視点でいえば貯金しないでどんどん消費してくれるアメリカのスタイルの方が優れていると言えますが、バランスが悪いしサブプライムローン問題のように突然経済が崩壊してしまう可能性が高いです。

日本人は多少景気が良くなりましたよと日本政府がアナウンスしても簡単に財布のひもは緩めません。将来の為に必要なお金を貯めて、必要なだけ消費して景気に合わせて調整するという能力に長けていると思います。

アメリカも今後は多少日本のスタイルを参考にした方がいいと思います。

しかしアメリカの消費をあおるやり方にすっかり感化された自分がいる事も事実。貯金しなきゃ。

 

Party culture

Parents first in the U.S vs Children first in Japan

I participated in my company's holiday party last week. It's called "Bounenkai" in Japan. I thought It's good opportunity to enjoy, so I took a super-stretch limo that can fit twenty people and I had a good time at this party. Then, I felt big cultural differences between the U.S and Japan in party style. As for home party style, there is a big difference too. It's really interesting and I decided to describe about the party culture in the U.S this time as my archive.

The main three differences between the U.S and Japan are like below.

1, Wives are always accompanied. Not allowed to bring their kids.

2, Conversation is the main dish. Food & drink are second priority.

3, When it comes to events, they enjoy thoroughly.

No1 is easy to understand, because basically, wives or partners are not invited to a company's party in Japan. It's recognized as one of a job.　Also, even though there is a home party at night, it's not a good idea to bring kids in the U.S. They must hire babysitter to take care of their kids at their house until parents come back. Under twelve years old kids are not allowed to stay at home without parents by American state law, so even parents who have elementary school kids hire a babysitter. Incidentally, baby-sitting is the most popular part-time job for student to earn extra money.

No2 gives evidence of the differences of what is the hospitality. In Japan, there is a custom to give hospitality to guests by serving nice meals, so Japanese people tend to select nice restaurants which serve delicious meals or wives prepare delicious food at home party.  However, American people think that food is the supporting part. Main part is having a conversation. The food served at the holiday party that I joined this time was delicious, but it's very simple. I just got a soup and a main dish. I thought "Is that all?", but it's common in the U.S.

As for a home party, American people think that it's weird that hosts can't join their conversation, because they are busy for preparing nice food. So, they buy pre-made foods at super markets or select easy food like just baking in the oven.

No3 is colored by their national identity. When I heard that holiday party starts from 6 PM and ends at 11 PM, I wondered what we are going to do in such a long 5 hours. There were tons of fun contents before the party starts such as cocktail hour at lobby, a ceremonial photograph service with their partners, pick-your-own style snack corner for kids' souvenirs. After the party started, there were performances by march band and continued to a lottery and finally, we had a dance time. According to internet information I checked, it seems to be a common style party in America. In addition, there were a lot of supporting events to bring additional excitement to a party such as a stretch limo I used this time.

Also, the mind for enjoying a party by participants is a big different from Japanese people. Of course, the dress-up enlivens an atmosphere, too.

As I described above, there are a lot of differences in party culture between the U.S and Japan and the biggest difference that I felt this time is the thinking of a partner oriented in the U.S and a children oriented in Japan. American parents give weight to their own time and it's common to go out on a date with using babysitter.

In Japan, once parents have a child, they have to put up with these activities for a while. If they live in near their parents, it's possible, but there are few parents that go out on a date with using babysitter like in America.

It's interesting that there is a different thinking even in party style that  " making much of partner relationship even they have a child" in America and "Once they have a child, parent should focus on their kids" in Japan.

I don't think Japanese style is bad. However, I think Japanese moms need a time to relax. If services to support moms increased more in Japan, Mom's stress for child care will decrease and partner's relationship will be better wouldn't it?

Written in Dec 2012

日本語版

パーティー文化　夫婦重視のアメリカ、親子重視の日本

先週会社のホリデーパーティーに参加しました。日本で言うと忘年会です。せっかくの機会なので２０人乗りのリムジンを借りて楽しんできました。参加してみて日本とアメリカに於けるパーティー文化の違いを大きく感じました。またホームパーティーに於いても同様で日米でかなり考え方が違います。大変興味深かったので忘備録も兼ねて今回はパーティー文化をテーマにしました。

代表的な日米の違いとしては以下の３つ

１、夫婦（パートナー）同伴での参加が基本、子連れはあり得ない。

２、主役は楽しい会話。料理や飲み物はあくまで脇役。

３、楽しむときはとことん楽しむ。

１はわかりやすい違いですね。日本だと会社の宴会には、基本的に家族やパートナーは呼ばれないですからね。あくまで忘年会も仕事の一部というイメージです。逆にホームパーティーだと子連れで参加したりします。アメリカの場合はホームパーティーでも子連れの夜のパーティ参加は基本NGです。必ず ベビーシッターに来てもらって、親が帰宅するまで自宅で面倒を見てもらいます。アメリカでは、満１２歳以下の子どもが留守番することは、州の法律で禁止されているので、小学生でもベビーシッターの世話になります。ちなみにベビーシッターは、高校生の女の子の小遣い稼ぎの筆頭だそうです。

２についてはもてなしの考え方の違いが如実に表れていますね。日本だと料理でもてなすという考え方があるので良い料理を出すレストランを会場にしたり、ホームパーティーの場合は頑張って奥さんがおもてなし料理を作ります。しかしアメリカの場合は料理はおまけです。主役は会話を楽しむ事。今回の会社のパーティーもスープとメインがさらっとでてきただけで日本人からするとあれっこれで終わり？？って感じですがこれがアメリカ流なのです。ホームパーティーでも料理の準備に忙しくして会話に入れないのはナンセンスだと考えるので買って来たものやオーブンに入れるだけの簡単な料理で済ましたりします。

３については国民性ですね。最初、会社のPartyが最初６時から11時くらいまでと聞いたときに５時間も何をするのだろうと思っていましたが、６時からのロビーでのカクテルタイムに始まり各パートナー単位での記念撮影、子供用のお土産のお菓子を自由に詰めていいコーナーがあったりと始まる前からイベントが盛り沢山でした。始まってからもマーチバンドの演奏、抽選会と続きとどめはバンドの生演奏でダンスタイムでした。ぐぐるとアメリカではこれが結構スタンダードのようです。加えて今回借りた豪華なリムジンなどパーティーを楽しめるようなハードとソフトが充実しています。そして楽しんでやろうという参加者の意気込みが日本と違います。もちろんドレスアップも雰囲気を盛り上げます。

上に述べた様にパーティーの考え方において日米でいろいろと違いはありますが私が一番強く感じた違いはやはり一番夫婦（パートナー）重視のアメリカ、親子重視の日本という事です。アメリカ人の夫婦は、「自分たちの時間」をとても大事にします。子供をシッター預けて2人で普通にデートをしたりします。日本では子供が出来たらしばらくは我慢するというのが普通の考え方ですよね。実家の近くに住んでいれば出かけられることもあるかもしれませんが、シッターに子供を預けてデートをしている夫婦はおそらくほとんどいないでしょう。

アメリカの「子供が生まれても夫婦の関係は大事にすべき」という文化と「子供が生まれたら家族（母親）は子供中心になるもの」 という日本の文化の違いがパーティーのスタイルにも表れていて面白いです。日本の子供中心という考えは悪いと思わないけどママにも多少の息抜きは必要だと思う。それをサポートするサービスがもっと充実すればママの育児ストレスも減って夫婦仲も良くなるのでは無いでしょうか。